Book Description

This report presents a cost analysis of Maleic Anhydride production from butane via partial oxidation process. The process examined is similar to the one owned by Huntsman. In this process, Maleic Anhydride is produced by the partial oxidation reaction of n-butane with oxygen carried out in a fixed-bed reactor. The reactor effluent is sent to a solvent-based recovery system for Maleic Anhydride separation. This report examines one-time costs associated with the construction of a United States-based plant and the continuing costs associated with the daily operation of such a plant. More specifically, it discusses: * Capital Investment, broken down by: - Total fixed capital required, divided in production unit (ISBL); infrastructure (OSBL) and contingency - Alternative perspective on the total fixed capital, divided in direct costs, indirect costs and contingency - Working capital and costs incurred during industrial plant commissioning and start-up * Production cost, broken down by: - Manufacturing variable costs (raw materials, utilities) - Manufacturing fixed costs (maintenance costs, operating charges, plant overhead, local taxes and insurance) - Depreciation and corporate overhead costs * Raw materials consumption, products generation and labor requirements * Process block flow diagram and description of industrial site installations (production unit and infrastructure) This report was developed based essentially on the following reference(s): (1) US Patent 4118403 issued to Monsanto in 1978 (assigned to Huntsman in 1994); (2) US Patent 6090245, issued to Huntsman in 2000 Keywords: Fixed Bed, Maleic Acid Anhydride, C4 Oxidation, Huntsman, Monsanto